We woke up this morning with mixed emotions. Happy that it was cloudy and rainy, because it is cooler! Anxious because it means we have to put into play our favorite word this week --- Flexibility!! We talked with the Hyaets staff and reorganized our day. The construction team continued (and finished!) their project. However, the rest of the teams took on totally new responsibilities. We made cookies and greeting cards to deliver to neighbors. We collected all the crafts supplies, constructed a shelf and organized all the supplies in one place. Another group folded fliers to prepare for a large mailing, and a last group moved fencing and dug up bushes.

Our Bible study word for the day is "strength". It's a great word for a Wednesday. This is the time that fatigue sets in, and with the clouds we were feeling a little sluggish. Strength is what we needed to sustain us through our day.

Our Prep Team has been hard at work this week. They have been the go-fers and runners for all the other teams, and for the Hyaets staff.  It didn't take long for team members to identify each others' gifts.  Jamie knows the Toll House cookie recipe from memory, but don't ask her to fill water balloons!  Kyle, Laurel and Hunter are experts at water balloons!  They huddled in a 3-foot corner for 2 days and filled approximately 300 water balloons!!  The team also prepared the snacks every afternoon for all teams and kids.  They delivered supplies and drinking water to the game teams which were a block away.  Hyaets has lots of community children stopping by on a regular basis.  And like most kids they always want snacks!  When you feed lots of hungry kids, it's most economic to buy in bulk.  So the Prep Team helped Hyaets by dividing goldfish, cookies and chips into snack baggies.  Other tasks included sweeping floors, baking cookies, washing dishes and hauling steel pipe.  So if you're a parent of Jamie, Hunter, Laurel, Kyle or Mason know their talents are numerous!!

After a short afternoon break, we began preparing for a cook-out at the community park.  We had been handing out fliers all week about this event.  Once Phillip started the charcoal grill, the crowds came to see what was going on.  It was great to meet and greet new folks, and to introduce them to the Hyaets family.  We went through 96 hamburgers, 72 hot dogs, 3 bags of salad and a ton of Ranch dressing.  (Ranch dressing is used like ketchup.  Everything is dipped in it and it is the major ingredient of a salad!)  After dinner we asked all the kids/families to gather on the grass.  Each of our teams had prepared part of a creative worship experience.  We engaged the kids in song and conversation, and told them about Jesus.

Our ministry time has come to a close.  It seems like ages ago that we were leaving the parking lot headed for our concert tour!  Tomorrow will be a different kind of fun for us.  We'll spend the day at the Carowinds Theme Park.  We would appreciate you prayers as we travel home on Friday.  We look forward to telling your our stories.  When you see one of us ask about J-Rock, BJ, Lonnie or Lonelle(brothers!), Qwamisha or Asia.  They have all impacted our lives, and we'll never be the same!